Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley signaled that he is moving closer to mounting a 2016 presidential campaign this weekend at the summer meeting of the National Governors Association in Milwaukee.

Speaking to reporters Saturday — 1,192 days before Election Day — while sipping a beer in the wood-paneled lobby of the Hilton hotel, the Democrat seemed excited by the possibility, speaking candidly about his ongoing preparations. “It’s going well,” he said, adding that he’s given a number of significant addresses over the past several months at universities and think tanks. “By the end of this year I think we’re on course to have a body of work that lays the framework for a candidacy in 2016.”

O’Malley also highlighted the work of his O’ Say Can You See PAC, which is supporting “like-minded candidates,” and growing his social-media presence. The political-action committee raised more than $500,000 in the first six months of 2013 and donated to early state candidates Iowa Representative Bruce L. Braley, a 2014 candidate for U.S. Senate, and New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen, as O’Malley oversaw one of the most productive — and most liberal — legislative sessions of any governor in the country. The governor signed strict gun-control legislation, boosted the state’s transportation funding and abolished the state’s death penalty. In 2012, he successfully advocated for initiatives to legalize same-sex marriages in Maryland.

O’Malley said he is also taking the time “to let my soul catch up to where my body’s been,” slowing down to read, write and think before making the critical and life-altering decision.

Among the books he’s been reading: beach fare like Council on Foreign Relations president Richard Haass’ new book Foreign Policy Begins at Home: The Case for Putting America’s House in Order; former Bill Clinton speechwriter Eric Liu and venture capitalist Nick Hanauer’s work The Gardens of Democracy: A New American Story of Citizenship, the Economy, and the Role of Government; and author Parker Palmer’s Healing the Heart of Democracy: The Courage to Create a Politics Worthy of the Human Spirit.

O’Malley hinted at a possible theme for his campaign, warning of a national “crisis of confidence” that won’t be over before the 2014 midterm elections.

We’re going through a period as a country — we’re going through this crisis of confidence. And great republics sometimes go through these periods. Individuals call them ‘the dark night of the soul.’ We’re going through a time of confusion and a time of polarization, and a time of real crisis about whether or not we’re still capable as a people of accomplishing big and important things. None more important than restoring the balance of our economy so that our middle class can continue to grow and give more opportunities to each successive generation. I don’t think we’re going to get through that. We will get through that period — of that I have no doubt. I don’t think we’ll get through that period by 2014. And so you’re going to have this debate rage in all the states.

“It’s probably going to continue … for a couple more cycles,” he added.

O’Malley, the former chairman of the Democratic Governors Association and frequent Obama surrogate, is scheduled to leave his job as governor in 2015 after eight years in the governor’s mansion because of term limits. Jumping into the race early will likely be essential if he is to mount a serious bid for the White House.

A McClatchy-Marist poll last month found him polling at 1% of the Democratic primary electorate, if former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also decides to run. A May poll from Quinnipiac University found that even with Clinton out of the race for the Democratic nomination, the Maryland governor would start off with the support of only 3% of Democratic voters.

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I am a refugee from the People's Republic of Maryland where Martin O'Malley has the ideal constituents: an underclass of urban dependents (Baltimore City) and a hoard of federal bureaucrats (Prince George & Montgomery Counties). Throw in some poor government-dependent illegal immigrants and you have the Democrat party in permanent power. O'Malley will not best Hillary in presidential politics but he practices the model BO & the national party wishes to adopt for One Party rule , i.e.,"the fundamental transformation of America." Adios America.

Interesting plug to get the attention of the politics junkies. I'll be much more interested to see his performance in debates. I don't think anyone is going to hold a candle to Mrs. Clinton on either side, but it would certainly be more interesting to watch if I am wrong.

Are you serious. Cruz or Paul Or Rubio will decimate the Killery in a debate. She won't just be able to talk about her hair color. As for Owemalley, we live in MD. He ruined his state. We finally elected a republican governor because he was so bad. His affair and love child will soon be exposed. Can't wait.

I mean, the ONLY way a RATIONAL person would say something like what you posted is if that was a real goal of any group.

News flash: It isn't.

So, only the irrational, or those who want to do what they posted, would post the complete crap you just did. I am giving you the benefit of the doubt about being irrational, so you obviously are jealous of men who want to marry toasters.

What, can't get your toaster to sign the pre-nup?

And marriage between women is in that same goal as marriage between men. Do you expect them to want to marry their vibrators?

-shakes head-

Please don't breed. The world doesn't need any more stupidity than it already has.

While you're busy shaking your head, why don't you think about the concepts of "irony" and "humor", and see if they apply to this situation. If you're unfamiliar with them, then you can try looking them up on your toaster (or vibrator, if that's the way you roll).

You must be a liberal. Only liberals would try to deny a citizen of the United States of America the right to procreate. You're probably white too. White people like telling other people what they can and can't do.

@sacredh I'm typically against feeding the trolls, but I do have to point out that the OP was asking, politely, that they not procreate, not suggesting they have their right to such stripped. There is a difference.

Last time I checked Maryland is an affluent state that boasts great health care, civil right and educational communities, as well as is a net contributor to the federal budget. Compare that to the Tea Party republics in NC, SC, Miss, Ala or any of the other GOP run and controlled states.

Wow, O'Malley really has the Repug attack machine mobilized, judging from the instant array of bashing comments below. Of course, any charismatic progressive with the potential to rise to higher places draws this sort of fire....just hope he doesn't end up being subjected to worse things, as have befallen other outspoken progressives headed for the top, such as having an "unfortunate accident," ( JFK, jr,) or whitewater/monica-style muckraking.

@memyselfi Both sides are guilty of muckraking, attacking, bashing, etc., any candidate that is put up by the opposition. It is called politics and has been going on for at least 200 plus years in this country. I don't like it but it is what it is.

It's just too easy to be smug when The Republicans have cried wolf so many times that it is impossible to know what a wolf even is at this point. I'll try to be more respectful when responding to random, repetitive ad hominem attacks on Americans that are in public service.